Crispy Shallot Chicken Cheese (Print)

Juicy chicken and crispy shallots combined with melted cheese on buttery toasted bread.

# Components:

→ Chicken

01 - 2 cups cooked shredded chicken breast (rotisserie or poached)
02 - 1 tablespoon mayonnaise
03 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
04 - 1/4 teaspoon salt
05 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

→ Shallots

06 - 1/2 cup crispy fried shallots (store-bought or homemade)

→ Cheese

07 - 8 slices sharp cheddar cheese
08 - 4 slices mozzarella cheese

→ Bread and Assembly

09 - 8 slices sourdough or country bread
10 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened

# Method:

01 - In a medium bowl, combine shredded chicken, mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper. Mix thoroughly until evenly coated.
02 - Lay out bread slices and spread softened butter evenly on one side of each slice.
03 - Place 4 slices of bread, butter side down, on a clean surface. Layer each with 1 slice cheddar, a generous scoop of chicken mixture, 2 tablespoons crispy fried shallots, 1 slice mozzarella, and another slice cheddar.
04 - Top each assembled sandwich with remaining bread slices, butter side up.
05 - Heat a large skillet or griddle over medium heat. Cook each sandwich for 3 to 4 minutes per side, pressing gently, until bread is golden and cheese is melted.
06 - Remove sandwiches from heat, allow them to rest for 1 to 2 minutes, then slice and serve warm.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The crispy shallots add a salty, crunchy texture that transforms a simple grilled cheese into something unexpectedly fancy.
  • It comes together in 30 minutes flat, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner when you want something that feels special.
  • Two cheeses melted together create a gooey, complex flavor that keeps people reaching for another bite.
02 -
  • Medium heat is non-negotiable—high heat burns the outside before the inside melts, leaving you with a dark crust and cold cheese.
  • Pressing the sandwich gently while it cooks helps the cheese melt faster and creates better contact between bread and skillet for even toasting.
  • The shallots are the difference between ordinary and memorable; don't leave them out or reduce them.
03 -
  • Toast both sides of the bread before assembly for extra insurance against sogginess, especially if your chicken mixture is on the wet side.
  • If your cheese isn't melting fast enough, lower the heat and cover the skillet with a lid or loose foil—the trapped steam will melt the cheese without burning the bread.
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